Fortress of Solitude, by Jonathan Lethem (2003): Lethem’s semi-autobiographical story about growing up as a member of the white minority in North Gowanus (now Boerum Hill) takes brief flights into glorious science-fiction.

Brookland, by Emily Barton (2006): The rare Brooklynite to delve into her borough’s long history, Barton does precisely that in this richly detailed novel about a woman who tries to build a bridge to Manhattan.